Poppy’s House

PreS-Gr 3–A patchwork of paintings with a folk-art bent, a puffin, cloudberries, and a dedication sets this, perhaps, in Newfoundland as an unnamed child of about 10 is looking forward to a trip. She and her mother board a large ship to cross the sea in anticipation of visiting Poppy, the young girl’s grandfather. He lives alone in a yellow house on top of a hill on an island. The young girl and Poppy enjoy spending time together doing everyday chores, such as chopping wood, digging up potatoes, watering the garden, etc. Then the two set off to explore things nearby and to count the things they see, such as clothes hanging on a line, cod, animal tracks, and stones. The days end with a good book and snuggling on Poppy’s worn velvet armchair. Soon it is time to say goodbye, and the granddaughter returns home, taking with her cherished memories and a plan to return soon. The illustrations, done in colored pencils and gouache, fit the mood of the story perfectly. The characters all have pale skin and a variety of hair colors. Pair with Sennah Yee’s My Day with Gong Gong for a satisfying story hour celebrating grandfathers.